Cooking light handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outdoor grilling appliances often lack sufficient lighting, causing users to struggle with visibility when opening lids due to obstructed light sources, resulting in shadows and inadequate illumination of the cooking surface.
Innovation Solution
A handle-integrated light system with rotating joints allows the light source to be positioned above the grill surface, unobstructed, providing long-lasting, weather-resistant illumination by attaching to the grill lid and rotating to ensure direct lighting on the cooking surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If outdoor lighting is used to illuminate the cooking surface, then lighting is provided, but the light is blocked by the lid or sides of the lid when the user opens the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function with the handle by integrating a light source into the handle structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate outdoor lighting fixtures that would be blocked by the lid, as the light travels with the handle and illuminates the cooking surface from above regardless of lid position.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle serves as an intermediary carrier for the light source, positioning it above the cooking surface in a way that avoids obstruction by the lid. The handle acts as a mediator between the user and the cooking surface, delivering illumination exactly where needed without being blocked by the lid structure.
2Illumination intensity
If a light source is positioned above the grill surface, then unobstructed lighting is achieved, but the light source must be mounted on a movable structure
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is given multiple functions: it serves as both the operational handle for opening/closing the lid and as the mounting structure for the light source. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate movable mounting structure, as the existing handle fulfills both mechanical and lighting support roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure for the light source is merged with the handle itself. Rather than adding a separate movable mounting mechanism, the patent integrates the light source directly into the handle, using the handle's natural movement and positioning to achieve the required lighting orientation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the handle is insulated to remain cool, then user safety is improved, but the handle cannot be used to hold hot cooking surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The handle employs local quality differentiation by using insulated material only in the user-contact portion while allowing the distal end (near the cooking surface) to remain thermally conductive. This localized insulation approach maintains user safety during handle manipulation while preserving the handle's ability to function near hot surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A combined handle and light source for a cooking appliance such as a grill which is provided with a rotation joint such that the handle can be placed in a stored position to allow for articulation of a lid which covers a cooking surface and such that the handle can be moved relative to the joint to put the handle in a use position to allow the light to illuminate the cooking surface when the lid is in an open position.